Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-01-21
FRANK VAENEY'S CHOICE.

4 The hot glare of the afternoon SUI
streamed into the dingy, crowded wait
ing-room, and seemed to concentrate
oil its rays on the tiny enclosure in the
corner which served for the telegraph
office. -"
| It was hot, dusty, and uncomfortable,
and the spirits of the little operator
| were ct the lowest ebb. She was 80
tired of it all, tired of the noise and con-
fusion, and the staring, unmannerly
crowd; tired even OF the ceaseless clat-
ter of the instruments that she had once
| thought so musical. ...
"Where are your blanks?" said a
CHEEKY, manly voice at the little receiv-
ing window. ooh, beg pardon, here
they are!" And then a moment later
*fWhat beastly pens you telegraph peo-
pie always have! DO you buy all the
defunct pens of the public schools for
the use of your patrons?"
She raised her head impatiently, and
encountered pair Of mischievous brown
eyes, that were regarding her with
rather perplexed look.
As he met her eyes, he redeemed q
little, and said
"Can you send this message through
for mo at once?"
eyes, sir. Thank you'll"
"A very warm day. Good afternoon r
The straw hat was lifted from his
brown curls for moment; and then
after another prolonged stare he was
gone.
Laura Arnold looked after him with
. tumult Of pain in her heart.
And it was thus they met after five
years of separation-they who had been
such friends in the old days. How silly
she had been to think Of him, and cherish,
his fond. foolish, parting words, all these
years! And now, when ct last they
met, he had no word Of greeting for her.
only the careless courtesy of a stranger
She knew he had been successful, and
was eminent in his profession. Perhaps
he did not care to recognize his old
playfellow, for life had not gone smooth
~ with her since they parted; and she
told herself proudly that she was glad
he had made no sign.
II beg your pardon" said voice at
her elbow; and sho turned quickly to
see him back again. "Surely I cannot
be mistaken. It is Laura Arnold"
eyes, it is Laura Arnold" she said,
as she put her hand in his. II am very
glad to see you, DR.. Varnev."
1T was Laura and Frank between
us two, once upon time" he said,
holding the slim white hand closely in
his. care you going to put me at
arm's-length because did not at once
recognize my little gypsy in the very
proper, not to say stately, young lady
who looked ready to Stub me at the
slightest proyocation
Laura and Frank let it be, then"
she said brightly. "But what has
brought you from home this hot wealth
err"
"The medical convention and-other
business; but please may 1 come inside,
and talk to you comfortably?"
| IF you will make yourself as compact
as possible. This office was not intend
ed for the accommodation of people who
have six feet Of perpendicularity to dis
pose Of"
He came in and sat down opposite
her, watching her while she worked, and
making gay comments ON the people as
they passed.
What handsome, good1y face it was,
and how pleasant to have him there,
chatting of the old home and friends,
until she seemed to smell the nignonette
in the old garden, and hear the babble
of the little stream in the meadow, where
they two had spent SO many happy
hours!"
'Do you know, he id, as he watched
her pen glide swiftly over the paper,
''the telegraph has always been the
mystery of mysteries to me? have not
q much better idea of it now than I had
when we pounded the poles, on our way
home from school, to hnar what was 60
ing on over the wires'
1T is not hard to understand" she
said, laughingly. "What were you do
ing when you should have been study
ing your philosophy and familiar sci
ence? You were always an idle boy. I"
II will be good, now I have found my
little mentor again." he said, leaning
forward, with a dangerous fascination
iii the brown eyes. Il wonder how I
have managed to rub along all these
years without YOU"
Il think you have borne up wonder
fully. You don't seem to have peaked
and pined."
"Well, no-that is not in my line.
But that is more than can say for you,
Laura. Suppose we make a bargain ?
We will exchange trade secrets You
shall explain this mystery of the tele-
graph, of which you are the high priest
ess, and will tell you how to get back
some of tho old-time roses in those pale
cheeks Of yours"
Agreed" said Laura merrily.
'When shall we commence
Eat once My first prescription is
that you shall go out with me for a
drive tomorrow morning."
.''That would be very pleasant; but
am afraid it is not possible. I must be
here at eight o'clock"
Certainly; and I will be at your
boarding house at six. We will have
two hours in the pleasantest part of the
day, and ! will seaa you down here at
eight o'clock"
1T would be very NICE" said Laura
wistfully.
"Of course it would" he said, rising
to 90. and holding her hand fast ssyou
| will come, Laura, for the sake Of Aud
Lang Syne?"
"For the sake Of Aud Lang Syne,
then" she said, rising blusAing dim
pied face and shining eyes to him, very
different from the woe begone counte-
nance that had greeted him when he
come.